What is the best kind of toothpaste to use?
If you’re ready to commit to a healthy dental routine that works, then getting the best kind of toothpaste for your smile is essential. Though there are a countless number of toothpaste brands on the market today, there are specific types of toothpaste created with your unique mouth in mind.
Ready to discover what kind of methods you can use to find a brand that is most suitable for you? Continue reading our recommendations below!
1. Look at the fluoride content
Found in water sources such as oceans, rivers and lakes, fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, helps repair the early stages of tooth decay for both children and adults. Studies have proven that fluoride is a safe and effective treatment that reduces dental cavities.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends fluoride as they have found that it is an essential ingredient in toothpaste. For those that would like to opt out of fluoride due to personal preferences, natural toothpaste comes fluoride-free.
2. Check for ADA approval
If you’re looking for the best toothpaste for you, you’ll definitely want it to be ADA approved. If your brand is ADA approved, it has met the following requirements.
- Contains fluoride
- Contains active ingredients that support oral hygiene
- Excludes flavoring agents that decay teeth such as sugar
- Have scientific evidence that it is safe and effective
3. Read the label
There are certain ingredients in toothpaste that should be avoided at all costs. Often, these are found to be chemicals that are harmful to your health. When reading the label of your toothpaste, watch out for the following ingredients to ensure you stay away from usage:
- Saccharin
- Calcium carbonate and silicates
- Glycerol
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
4. Select a toothpaste based on specific dental issues
Today, there are numerous kinds of toothpaste for your specific dental issues. Dental issues that you could be experiencing include tooth sensitivity, stained teeth, and bad breath. When shopping for your brand, look out for kinds that are specifically helpful in treating your dental issues. This could be variety that soothes your nerves, whitens your teeth, or has a specific minty smell that leaves you with fresh breath.
5. Check the RDA level
The relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) is a method of measuring the erosive effect of abrasives in the product.
ADA-approved brand is required to have an RDA of 250 or less. Toothpaste that is under 250 RDA is safe to use. All toothpaste beyond the 250 RDA level is not recommended to use.
When to see a dentist
Our North Pointe Dentists have over 40+ years of experience in maintaining and improving oral hygiene. If you have questions about selecting a toothpaste that is best suited for your specific dental needs, simply give us a call to set up an appointment! Click here to get in touch!
